How Did They do That –Install the Schuman Pavilion Pedestrian Bridge That Connects the New with the Old Making a Dramatic Change to the Main Entrance

For me, there is nothing like being on the construction site under the lights where the construction sounds punctuate the stillness of the night as the shadows accentuate the size of man and machine. In the early morning on September 22, 2019, just before the clock struck two, the first in a convoy of six flatbed trucks carrying crane parts, and counterweights rolled into the north yard off of Prospect Avenue. Not far behind was the Liebherr seven-axle LTM 1400-7.1 mobile crane having a maximum load capacity of 400-tons.

Leading Up to the Cranes Arrival

**The Blockade:** On Saturday night, September 21, 2019, Prospect Avenue was blocked off just before Taylor Court in preparation for the night of work revamping the pedestrian entrance to the existing Medical Center and installing the Schuman Pavillion Pedestrian bridge.

The Early Morning Arrival of the Truck Brigade

On or about 1:45 AM on September 22, 2019, two flatbed trucks carrying counterweights arrived. As it turned out one of the drivers was the crane operator who wanted to scope out the project site before the crane arrived.

Soon after the crane operators arrival, the first meeting took place, under the lights, in the middle of the dogleg right as one approaches the dropoff zone to the entrance of the Medical Center. Chuck, the project foreman (left) introduces the bridge to the crane operator (Center background). Victor a foreman with McCarthy (center foreground) listens intently, although he is well aware of the task at hand. At the right is a truck driver/operator who listens intently as the job is discussed.

After a few minutes of discussion, Chuck (the foreman) invites the crew to take a closer look at the sleeping giant. From all appearances, the crane operator took everything in stride as there were no waving of the arms, wringing of the hands, or stopping of the feet…just hands in the pockets as if to say: “REALLY, a piece of cake!’

Within minutes, the meeting was adjourned and tradesmen began scurrying about with dispatch.

From the activity that transpired after the short “conflab,” we can deduce that clearing the yard for staging was agenda item number one. everything related to the bridge was moved out of the yard and strategically placed for use at various stages during the installation.

The Staging of the Truck Brigade

Within minutes of clearing the yard, three flatbed trucks rolled into the staging area.

So intent was I in capturing the flatbed trucks going into the staging yard, I was oblivious to what was happening off of Prospect Avenue. The crane had arrived and was lifting an equipment trailer to an out of the way area.

Here Comes the Crane

The mammoth crane begins a slow roll–backward–up the drive.

The Liebherr seven-axle LTM 1400-7.1 mobile crane having a maximum load capacity of 400-tons slowly backs into its designated space. Where the crane rests is critical due to the tight slewing radius the boom will have to maneuver the bridge in its first stage pick.

The Welders are Welding and the Sparks are a Sparking

While the crane is being staged another very important piece of the project is going on at the top of the north pedestal. The welders are prepping the steel on top of the cap. This step must be completed before the bridge is set on the pedestals.

As a self-assembly crane, it hoists the hydraulic ballasting device off of the transport truck and installs it on the counterweight frame.

Putting on the Pounds (Tons)

The Y – Guy System Rolls In

In the background, the last counterweight is hoisted off of the flatbed to be set in place. In the foreground a flatbed truck backs in with the Y – Guying system.

Boom Up With Y – Guying System Installed

An excellent view of the counterweights, the Y – Guying System, and the hydraulic boom.

Another view of the counterweights lifting system.

Separating the first section of cable prior to attaching the second set.

Attaching the cable extensions. Compare the size of the cables to the men’s arms.

Attaching the Cable to the Bridge

**5:59 AM:** At the first glance of daylight, the cable is being stretched attached to the bridge.

With the Medical center in the background, the boom tightens the cable before a lift test is made..

With the cable squeaking tighter, ironworkers are in and around the bridge checking the connections.

The Bridge Hangs in the Air as an Operator Cleans the Crane

114 – feet Long and Weighing 92 – Tons

**5:38 AM:** The bridge is slowly inched off of the wooden risers. The bridge will hang in place until the ironworkers determine that the bridge is and will be secure during the first pick (move). Once the determination is made the wooden risers are removed from under the bridge.

**5:41 AM:** While the timber risers are being removed from under the bridge a member of the crew polishes the crane. Notice the tires!

**5:46 AM:** With the background of the Adult Hospital tower in the background: A closeup image shows the boom and Y – Guy system holding the bridge in place.

The First Pick (Move)

Because of a tight slew radius between the crane and bridge’s resting position a two-step process was required. The first pick (move) required that the bridge be moved west to a predetermined point toward the pilings onto which the bridge would set. After the first pick (move), the crane would be set on the wooden risers while the cable is released, and the crane moved to a more radius friendly location nearer the pilings. Tearing down part of the crane and moving it required some time.

A short video clip illustrating how carefully the crane operator had to be to maneuver the bridge to the second pic (move) location.

The Second Pic (Move), The Hoist and Set

With the crane relocated to its new position, the crew reattaches the cables to the bridge.

A pause after the first pic (move): The boom between the flags.

Cables tighten and the boom begins to lift

Above the pilings and the turn continues

**8:08 AM:** The bridge rests on the pilings and the first of the welders climbed the ladder to begin work.

Each end of the bridge rests on a piling that has these anchor weld points. The welder is preparing to make the first weld on the southeast corner.

**8:26 AM:** The Schuman Pedestrian bridge and the elevator tower. The ironworkers are preparing to release the cables.

Dennis E. Park, MA

After graduate school Dennis accepted a position at Loma Linda University. He worked there for 42 years in the areas of administration and financial management, also teaching accounting and management to dietetic students at the School of Public Health. Through the years Dennis has chronicled the growth of the campus, including the construction of the Drayson Center and the Centennial Complex and the razing of Gentry Gym. He is the author of "The Mound City Chronicles: A Pictorial History of Loma Linda University, A Health Sciences Institution 1905 - 2005." dEp 09.30.2016 🔨

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The Week of September 22, 2019 — The Schuman Pedestrian Bridge, the Schuman Pavilion Elevator Tower, the Pits, the Tunnel, and More →